Apparatus for and method of refurbishing a lacrosse ball

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to an apparatus and method for refurbishing lacrosse balls by using a fast, convenient, automated, entertaining, energy efficient, portable, and modular machine/method of removing a thin layer of rubber from the surface of a used lacrosse ball, by applying even pressure and random rotation of abrasive, one to four cups or rings, utilizing a combination of gravity and/or force of the cups against the surface of the ball, and the introduction of a solvent at various speeds, volume, and concentration, during and after the removal of a thin layer of rubber, to maximize the restoration of the rubber surface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on provisional application Ser. No. 61/650,977, filed on May 23, 2012.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lacrosse players prefer using new balls because the freshly manufactured rubber surface of the ball provides a tackiness that enables the player to better control and utilize grip upon the ball when manipulating the ball within the mesh of the lacrosse head. The tackiness of the rubber surface against the mesh makes it better for cradling the ball while running, passing and catching the ball, and shooting the ball accurately. Over the course of time and usage, the rubber surface of a lacrosse ball starts deteriorating due to contact with foreign substances and surfaces as well as exposure to the elements, such as UV light and water caused by weather conditions. The rubber surface becomes slick and hard as a result of such deterioration. After a period of time, the used lacrosse balls become less effective to the point that players will not use them and discard them. Many balls are also lost in the adjacent tall grass, bushes, and woods. Player search/hunt for these balls but often they do not locate the balls until after considerable exposure to the elements causing deterioration. At the present time, there is no convenient and fast way to refurbish and reuse these deteriorated balls. Therefore, if a player cannot find a lost ball soon after it is misplaced, there is no incentive to look for deteriorated balls. Additionally, leaving lacrosse balls in a natural setting is bad for the environment because rubber is not biodegradable. Furthermore, the shortened usable life of a new lacrosse ball that is lost creates the demand for the manufacture of more new balls which increases carbon footprint and adds to pollution. It is desirable for lacrosse players to refurbish and reuse deteriorated lacrosse balls. It is also desirable for the refurbishing method/machine to be fast, light, automated, and consume very little energy or power.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a fast, convenient, automated, energy efficient, portable, and modular machine/method of removing a thin layer of rubber from the surface of a used lacrosse ball, by applying even pressure and random rotation of abrasive one to four cups or rings, utilizing a combination of gravity and/or external springs or elastic bands to regulate the force of the cups against the surface of the ball, and the introduction of a solvent at various speeds, volume, and concentration, during and after the removal of a thin layer of rubber, to maximize the restoration of the rubber surface to a state that is very close to that of a newly manufactured ball.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational image of an apparatus for refurbishing a lacrosse ball configured according to principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom elevational image of the embodiment of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a prong of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a FIG. 1 with a container, valve, and spout for application of a solvent or slurry.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a fully automated vending encasement.

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with a static container which allows for simultaneous refurbishment of multiple balls.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Additional embodiments may include one or more prongs.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the refurbishing machine includes a base 10 to which a plurality of motor mounts 15 are attached. Motor mount 15 includes a foot 20 hingedly connected to an arm 25. A motor 30 drives an input end of gearbox 35. An output end of gearbox 30 drives a spindle 40, which drives a prong 45. Spindles 40, preferably are horizontally arranged, that is, all fall within the same plane. Alternatively, spindles 40 may define angles relative to the plane defined by prongs 45, thus defining a dish shape. Prongs 45 preferably, but in some situations may not rotate at the same speed, as necessary to effect rotation of the ball B so that the entire surface thereof is refurbished. Preferably, the invention employs three prongs 45 with motors 30 attached that enable the steady rotation of cups 45, which contain an abrasive or provide an abrasive surface. Although FIG. 1 depicts three prongs, the embodiment could comprise from one to a plurality of prongs. The weight of the motors 30 generates force, resulting in the application of pressure between the rotating abrasive cups 50 and the surface of the lacrosse ball B. By encasing the prongs in a box in an inverted position certain advantages are gained. First is the effect of gravity. Second is the ease of access when inserting and removing the ball. Third is the effect of gravity on the solvent or water that is applied to the ball, which is minimized so that the machine parts are not exposed to the liquids and so that the liquid and by product of grinding the rubber surface falls into a pan located under the machine. Fourth, the inverted design makes it easier to conceal the functionality of the machine and makes it more convenient to maintain and clean. As shown in FIG. 1, the prongs are mounted with hinges and with the ability to angle the prongs so that the pressure applied to the surface of the ball may be adjusted for different situations. As shown in FIG. 2 the three prongs are pulled together using springs 50 but other methods may be used to apply inward pressure towards the rotating ball. Elastic bands may be used or a push rather than a pull spring may be used. Improvements could include a lever that engages and disengages all three prongs at the same time to make it easier to insert and remove balls from the machine. Improvements could also include positioning of the prongs so that the rotating abrasive surface presses down on the ball which sits within a static cup the inside of which also has an abrasive surface. The static cup would keep the ball in place while allowing random rotation. This embodiment would allow for refurbishing multiple balls simultaneously. Preferably, the weight and configuration of motors 30 and motor mounts 15 are such that, when ball B is not received among prongs define an open position for receiving ball B, and when ball B is received among prongs, the weight of ball B against prongs compels prongs to close against ball B with provide sufficient force to maintain contact with ball B. The pressure that prongs develop against ball B during refurbishing should be enough to keep the bottom of prongs steady, but not stress motors 30 or prevent random rotation of ball B while grinding. As shown in FIG. 4 there is a hole 55 and spout 60 at the top of the machine from which a solvent or other liquid, with or without added grit, can be introduced into the process. The liquid would be applied to the ball while the abrasive cups rotate to aid in the removal of the thin layer of rubber while also treating the newly conditioned rubber surface with preferably an organic solvent or an inorganic chemical. As shown in FIG. 4, the liquid would be introduced from a container 65 affixed on top of the machine using gravity and a valve 70 for varying rates and volumes to enhance the surface of the rubber. Another improvement would be an automated way to turn the liquid on while the abrasive cups are rotating and to stop the flow if the machine is turned off. As shown on FIG. 2, preferably, the grit or level of abrasiveness for the surface of the pads 75 (cones or rings) ranges based in wet or dry. Preferably, the abrasive pads are made of industrial diamond or other material which requires less maintenance. As shown in FIG. 3, the cups as well as the abrasive surface within the cups shall be modular so that new abrasives may be interchanged without having to replace the cups. Referring to FIG. 3, each prong 45 preferably receives a modular, abrasive ring 50 having protrusions that are received in recesses of prong 45. The protrusions and recesses may be complementarily threaded for secure attachment. Cones or rings 50 are modular in that they can be attached on and off. The annular surface of prong 45 that mates with cone 50 is configured to complement the shape of ring 50 where contacted. In practice, annular surface, more specifically the abrasive surface 75 of ring 50 on annular surface, is what contacts ball B and effects refurbishing. As shown in FIG. 4 the modular abrasive pads 50 are affixed with velcro 80 or other firm non-permanent method of adhering the modular parts. As shown in FIG. 5, an improvement would be a vending machine which completely automates the customer experience of refurbishing refurbishing lacrosse balls using a vending machine that eliminates the need for human labor while providing entertainment value to the customer.

An automated way to receive balls and feed them into a assembly line for refurbishment.

An automated way to insert the old ball in between the rotating abrasive cup on one end and another rotating abrasive cup or a static abrasive container at the other end.

An automated way to release the ball from the refurbishing cups, rinse the outer surface, and return the ball to an accessible location outside of the vending encasement. 

We claim:
 1. A lacrosse ball refurbishing mechanism comprising: An enclosure which enables leveraging gravity to accomplish the functions of the mechanism One or more prongs which enable the application of rotating modular, replaceable, abrasive cups against a lacrosse ball, the attachment of motors on the prongs so that gravity may create force against the lacrosse balls The attachment of hinges on the prongs to adjust the application of the rotating abrasive cups against the ball at different angles The attachment of hinges or levers on the prongs to adjust the application of the rotating abrasive cups against the ball on one end and a static concave container on the other end. The introduction of a solvent or other liquid into the process The application of liquid to the ball while the abrasive cups rotate to aid in the removal of the thin layer of rubber Treatment of the resurfaced rubber with preferably an organic solvent or an inorganic chemical The introduction of liquid from a point above the ball using gravity, varying rates, and varying volumes, to enhance the surface of the rubber. An automated way to turn the liquid application on while the abrasive cups are rotating and to stop the flow if the machine is turned off
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a fully automated method of refurbishing lacrosse balls using a vending machine that eliminates the need for human labor while providing entertainment value to the customer. An automated way to receive balls and feed them into a assembly line for refurbishment. An automated way to insert the old ball in between the rotating abrasive cup on one end and another rotating abrasive cup or a static abrasive container at the other end. An automated way to release the ball from the refurbishing cups, rinse the outer surface, and return the ball to an accessible location outside of the vending encasement. 